S in g a p o r e (mot'eminent ;- PHESS RELEASE ation Division, Ministry of Culture, City Hall, Singapore 0617- TEL: 3378191ext. 4269,4270,4271 /3362207/3362271 Release No.: J\ /MAR 04-3/85/03/22 SPEECH BY MR TEO CHONG TEE, PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY, (COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT), AT THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OP THE FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION OF SINGAPORE (FAS) AT SINGAPORE SPORTS COUNCIL CONFERENCE ROOM, NATIONAL STADIUM, KALLANG ON FRIDAY, 22 MARCH 1985 AT 5.30 PM 1984 had been an eventful year for the Football Association of Singapore. International events were organised in addition to the normal league and knock-out programmes. The year also ended on a happy note for the soccer fans in Singapore. We received an invitation to the Malaysia Cup Competition for 1985 from the Football Association of Malaysia. As the term of appointment of the first Management Committee of FAS after its reorganisation will expire and a new Committee will be appointed soon, allow me to share with you my views on some relevant issues concerning the FAS. FINANCIAL STABILITY One of the major objectives of the outgoing Committee was to restore financial stability and growth. When we were appointed in 1982, there was a deficit situation. Today, we are happy to report a healthy financial standing inspite of falling spectator attendances during 1984 and a heavy programme of international tournaments hosted by FAS. We have also put aside a sum of $350,000 for the development of our sport. The overall financial position is, therefore, sound. At this point, I would like to record our appreciation to all sponsors, 2 r ^ friends and patrons of football for their sustained support. Also our thanks are due to the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and the International Football Federation (FIFA) for their confidence in the FAS in organising international tournaments. We will continue to improve our financial health in preparation for the future although the immediate situation of general recession poses a problem. PROMOTION OF FOOTBALL r ' 4 Another main objective of the outgoing Committee is to consolidate the promotion and development of football. 1984 must be recorded as a high point in our football promotion. Although we were not invited to the Malaysia Cup Tournament, we organised four international events in Singapore. These were: The Anchor Cup Tournament, The Pre- Olympic Qualifying Tournament (Asia/Oceania Final Round), The 3rd Merlion Cup Tournament and The 8th Asian Cup Final Championship. These tournaments allowed the local fans a chance to appreciate high standards of soccer. The turn- out, however, was less than encouraging. Our footballers, on the other hand, have benefitted from exposure to the skills of teams from the Middle East, Europe, South America, Oceania and East Asia. 5 Mr Jita Singh resigned as National Coach in June 1984. We were fortunate to have the support of the Ministry of Defence who have granted us the loan of Warrant Officer II Hussein bin Aljunied to serve as Coach to the National Squad since 1 July 1984. The problem of a permanent National Coach has to be studied in the light of financial stability in the future. 3 Towards the end of December 1984, the Soccer Development Committee under the chairmanship of Mr Lim Jit Poh was formed. This Committee will plan and monitor the total development of soccer in Singapore. We are hopeful that this Committee will steer football development in Singapore to new heights in the years ahead. The Milo Soccer School was launched to bridge the gap between the age group training scheme under the Singapore Sports Council and the Youth and Intermediate Squads whose revival was part of a planned development. With this, we are now in a better position to develop and deploy the talents among our young footballers. We have lost some outstanding national players who have opted to transfer to otner teams outside Singapore. FAS does not believe in standing in the way of career development when we ourselves are not ready to offer lucrative professional careers in football. We, therefore, wish those players who have left us, good luck and good fortune in their new environments and with new patronage. The good side of this departure is the regeneration of the National Squad with new players who will in time become new stars. However, FAS will have to initiate long-term plans to keep our talents in Singapore though this is not an easy task. FRIENDLY INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS A third objective is to restore friendly relation- ships with the football states in Malaysia. I am glad to say that in this respect, we have achieved it through patience and goodwill. We are reinvited to play in the Malaysia Cup this year. We will work towards consolidating our presence in the Malaysia Cup ever mindful of the need to preserve goodwill with our neighbours. i 4 Football is a mass sport. Much as we desire, how- ever, we cannot avoid politics in football. For the benefit of affiliates, I would like to clarify that if there were some unpopular decisions which FAS might have made in our term of administration, it was because of the need to be aware of the sensitivities of international relations. We want to preserve happy international relations. It is vital to Singapore, not only in the sport of football but also to our overall relationships with other countries. In this respect, therefore, I would appeal to affiliates and our football supporters, that we demonstrate goodwill to all teams who visit Singapore on international, regional and Malaysia Cup tournaments. The enjoyment of good football would be all the better if teams could play before enthusiastic and appreciative crowds. TOURNAMENTS AND SPECTATOR SUPPORT With the return of Malaysia Cup games to the National Stadium, we will review the position of the Anchor Cup and the Merlion Cup series of tournaments. The Merlion Cup has gained reputation internationally as a good tourna- ment in this region. With proper scheduling we may continue to organise this tournament. We intend to revive the Lion City Cup by inviting under-18 groups to the tournament. We can be proud that in hosting the Lion City Cup for the under-16, Singapore had contributed to the acceptance and inaugural World Junior Under-16 Tournament to be organised in the name of FIFA by the Football Association of the People's Republic of China. PAS will continue to bid for regional and international tournaments as we have won the confidence of AFC and FIFA in our organisational ability. 5 However, our spectator support must also be encouraging as good teams will play better if there is a crowded gallery. Our spectators must also give strength and encouragement to our National Squad whenever it plays. It should not be confined to Malaysia Cup games only, but extended to international events as well. Organising large scale tournaments also cost much money. Good spectator support helps to generate funds for promotion. To this end, the fate of soccer development depends on spectator support. I would tirge football fans to support all games, both Malaysia Cup matches as well as other international events so that together with their support, we can do better for football. We will strive to keep the price of tickets within reasonably low costs for the general public. EMPLOYERS' SUPPORT A successful sport such as football also needs willing and enlightened support from employers of our foot- ball players for full-pay leave when representing Singapore on international matches outside Singapore. We are grateful to most employers for their generous support in granting paid leave but we need more. The players' welfare and the need to keep our top stars in Singapore will be the objective as we seek employment support for our stars. Finally, I must record my deep appreciation to all affiliates for their co-operation and support during the terra of office of this Council. And last but not least, my gratitude and appreciation to my fellow Council members, for without their criticisms, support and contributions, foot- ball in Singapore would not have survived. @@@@@@@e§@§§eeeee#.